Good MIDI editor?

[Hack&Lube]

I've just bought a new keyboard that can take midi inputs, but a lot of my midi files are randomly collected over the past 10-15 years and some of them are incompatible or arranged with the wrong instruments incorrectly.

Is there a good free midi program out there that can let me join instrument parts and change the order of tracks, etc.

I've been using a clumsy go around of using GuitarPro's midi import system to do it.

[Traditional_Ale]

MIDI is my favorite thing in the world.

My advice would be to get yourself a Midisport 1x1 from Long & McQuade for 50 dollars. This is MIDI IN/OUT through USB.

Then download a free version of Cubase and you're set.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

MIDI is my favorite thing in the world.

My advice would be to get yourself a Midisport 1x1 from Long & McQuade for 50 dollars. This is MIDI IN/OUT through USB.

Then download a free version of Cubase and you're set.

My keyboard already has midi/USB built in. Makes a decent usb midi controller.

I went and dug out a harddrive from 1995 to find some old midi files I liked. I just played them in windows and it output through the keyboard. It was amazing. Any suggestions on where to get a large midi database/collection somewhere instead of just googling and downloading individual files?

Basically my problem is that sometimes the keyboard plays the wrong instruments or for some reason, percussion tracks are set as instruments and so there are annoying tones instead of drum sounds. I want to edit some midis and maybe combine a few tracks so that they will all play together as one piano and do some other fiddling with track order. I just look at Cubase. Man, it looks so complicated! I'm just a hack musician (can't play anything really) and this program looks way out of my league.

Also, for anybody looking for a USB midi adapter, they have one for $12 with free shipping at dealextreme.com. Prices on musical instruments and gear are always ######ed locally.

[flaming_potato]

MIDI is awesome! I recently bought an M-Audio Ozonic keyboard/recording interface and kill a lot of time by writing music or mixing up some cover tunes using MIDI. For a program I use FL Studio, its a pretty basic program and easy to use. You can also use VST plugins if you wanna change up your drum sound or looking for a certain kind of synth sound. You can fully edit all parts of the MIDI track as well and replace instruments with different sounds or instruments. I have a wicked miniMOOG plugin as well as "The Drumkit from Hell" (ez drummer) plugin.

http://flstudio.image-line.com/documents/what.html

I know its not free but I figured its worth a look.

[Traditional_Ale]

I know Cubase looks complicated, but actually its brilliant and simple. Watch some basic how-to videos on youtube and you'll be fine.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

I know Cubase looks complicated, but actually its brilliant and simple. Watch some basic how-to videos on youtube and you'll be fine.

Sorry for the hijack, but you're giving cubase the thumbs up? I may have to make the switch here shortly. I recently bough Groove Agent 3 and while it's awesome, it isn't playing so nice with garage band.

Would you recommend the base version of cubase? My needs certainly aren't large.

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by flaming_potato

MIDI is awesome! I recently bought an M-Audio Ozonic keyboard/recording interface and kill a lot of time by writing music or mixing up some cover tunes using MIDI. For a program I use FL Studio, its a pretty basic program and easy to use. You can also use VST plugins if you wanna change up your drum sound or looking for a certain kind of synth sound. You can fully edit all parts of the MIDI track as well and replace instruments with different sounds or instruments. I have a wicked miniMOOG plugin as well as "The Drumkit from Hell" (ez drummer) plugin.

http://flstudio.image-line.com/documents/what.html

I know its not free but I figured its worth a look.

Sounds like he's using his keyboard as the synth, so VSTs aren't likely to be an option.

H&L, you aren't likely to find much in the way of free midi sequencers, Cubase will probably be the best bet. Is Mac an option? GarageBand does all the basics pretty well and is fun as hell to use. There's going to be a learning curve with any midi sequencer; I'd just bite the bullet and look up some Cubase tutorials.

FYI, I use Cakewalk Sonar 6 and absolutely love it. It's worked perfectly with every VST I've thrown at it and seems to perform much better on my machine than any other sequencer I've tried (always had soft synth lag issues with other packages). Cakewalk used to have a "Cakewalk Express" that was $20 or something, that might be worth checking out.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

FYI, I use Cakewalk Sonar 6 and absolutely love it. It's worked perfectly with every VST I've thrown at it and seems to perform much better on my machine than any other sequencer I've tried (always had soft synth lag issues with other packages). Cakewalk used to have a "Cakewalk Express" that was $20 or something, that might be worth checking out.

This package rules. I also like Logic.

My favorite is Cubase, followed by Logic, and then Sonar, then Abelton Live.

I don't like Pro-Tools.